Macrophage-specific Antigen Research Articles

Macrophages are the major source of tumor necrosis factor alpha in the porcine corpus luteum.

This study was designed to determine the source of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha within the porcine corpus luteum (CL). 1) Sections of frozen or paraffin-embedded CL from various stages of the estrous cycle were incubated with the following primary antibodies: anti-human recombinant TNFalpha, anti-porcine macrophage-specific antigen, or anti-alpha-actin (marker of pericyte and smooth muscle cells). Dolichos biflorus lectin-peroxidase was used as an endothelial cell label. Positive immunostaining for TNFalpha was apparent in porcine CL throughout the estrous cycle. TNFalpha immunoreactivity was primarily localized in cells along septal/vascular tracts, and exhibited spatial and temporal distribution similar to that of cells labeled with anti-macrophage antibodies. Large luteal cells exhibited weak staining for TNFalpha in paraffin sections, whereas microvascular endothelial cells were consistently negative in both frozen and paraffin sections. 2) Enriched subpopulations of macrophages, endothelial cells, and large and small luteal cells were isolated by density gradient and immunomagnetic bead separation techniques. TNFalpha secretion by each subpopulation was determined by measuring bioactive TNFalpha in incubation media using a specific in vitro bioassay. Macrophage subpopulations secreted up to 100-fold greater quantities of bioactive TNFalpha (up to 400 pg/10(6) cells) than did other subpopulations. In contrast, endothelial cell and small luteal cell subpopulations released very small amounts (< 8 pg/10(6) cells) of bioactive TNFalpha. Large luteal cells secreted slightly greater amounts of TNFalpha (10-15 pg/10(6) cells). Local macrophages appear to be the primary source of TNFalpha in the porcine CL.

Thymic dendritic cells are primary targets for the oncogenic virus SL3-3.

The murine retrovirus SL3-3 causes malignant transformation of thymocytes and thymic lymphoma in mice of the AKR and NFS strains when they are inoculated neonatally. The objective of the present study was to identify the primary target cells for the virus in the thymuses of these mice. Immunohistochemical studies of the thymus after neonatal inoculation of the SL3-3 virus showed that cells expressing the viral envelope glycoprotein (gp70(+) cells) were first seen at 2 weeks of age. These virus-expressing cells were found in the cortex and at the corticomedullary junction in both mouse strains. The gp70(+) cells had the morphology and immunophenotype of dendritic cells. They lacked macrophage-specific antigens. Cell separation studies showed that bright gp70(+) cells were detected in a fraction enriched for dendritic cells. At 3 weeks of age, macrophages also expressed gp70. At that time, both gp70(+) dendritic cells and macrophages were found at the corticomedullary junction and in foci in the thymic cortex. At no time during this 3-week period was the virus expressed in cortical and medullary epithelial cells or in thymic lymphoid cells. Infectious cell center assays indicated that cells expressing infectious virus were present in small numbers at 2 weeks after inoculation but increased at 5 weeks of age by several orders of magnitude, indicating virus spread to the thymic lymphoid cells. Thus, at 2 weeks after neonatal inoculation of SL3-3, thymic dendritic cells are the first cells to express the virus. At 3 weeks of age, macrophages also express the virus. In subsequent weeks, the virus spreads to the thymocytes. This pathway of virus expression in the thymus allows the inevitable provirus integration in a thymocyte that results in a clonal lymphoma.

Altered expression of immune‐related antigens by neuronophages does not improve neuronal survival after severe lesion of the facial nerve in rats

Injection of Fluoro-Gold (FG) into the whiskerpad muscles of rats yields a permanent retrograde labeling of motoneurons in the facial nucleus. Following subsequent resection of 10 mm of the facial nerve, one-third of the facial motoneurons die and the microglia phagocytize the dead FG-labeled neurons, take up FG, and get labeled in vivo. The resulting identification of all FG-labeled cells allows long-term comparative investigations on the behavior of neuronophages. In this study, we used two groups of rats to test whether the quantified expression of five immune-related antigens by neuronophages was related to quantified decline in neuron number (counts after immunostaining for neuron-specific enolase) 3 to 224 days after resection of the facial nerve. Rats of the first group received standard food and those of the second group, pellets containing 1,000 ppm of the calcium channel blocker nimodipine. Image analysis of the number of FG-containing cells and the number and projection area of immunopositive neuronophages in serial sections for each antigen showed that nimodipine significantly attenuated the immunostaining for CR3, MHC class I, and class II antigens (monoclonal antibodies [MAbs] OX-42, OX-18, and OX-6); enhanced the expression of monocyte–macrophage-specific antigen (MAb ED1); and did not change the expression of rat macrophage differentiation antigen (MAb ED2). The altered expressions, however, had no effect on the loss of motoneurons in the lesioned facial nucleus. We conclude that the degree of expression of immune-related antigens by neuronophages has no influence on the delayed neuronal cell death induced by permanent target deprivation. GLIA 24:155–171, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Altered expression of immune-related antigens by neuronophages does not improve neuronal survival after severe lesion of the facial nerve in rats

Injection of Fluoro-Gold (FG) into the whiskerpad muscles of rats yields a permanent retrograde labeling of motoneurons in the facial nucleus. Following subsequent resection of 10 mm of the facial nerve, one-third of the facial motoneurons die and the microglia phagocytize the dead FG-labeled neurons, take up FG, and get labeled in vivo. The resulting identification of all FG-labeled cells allows long-term comparative investigations on the behavior of neuronophages. In this study, we used two groups of rats to test whether the quantified expression of five immune-related antigens by neuronophages was related to quantified decline in neuron number (counts after immunostaining for neuron-specific enolase) 3 to 224 days after resection of the facial nerve. Rats of the first group received standard food and those of the second group, pellets containing 1,000 ppm of the calcium channel blocker nimodipine. Image analysis of the number of FG-containing cells and the number and projection area of immunopositive neuronophages in serial sections for each antigen showed that nimodipine significantly attenuated the immunostaining for CR3, MHC class I, and class II antigens (monoclonal antibodies [MAbs] OX-42, OX-18, and OX-6); enhanced the expression of monocyte-macrophage-specific antigen (MAb ED1); and did not change the expression of rat macrophage differentiation antigen (MAb ED2). The altered expressions, however, had no effect on the loss of motoneurons in the lesioned facial nucleus. We conclude that the degree of expression of immune-related antigens by neuronophages has no influence on the delayed neuronal cell death induced by permanent target deprivation.

Podocytes undergo phenotypic changes and express macrophagic-associated markers in idiopathic collapsing glomerulopathy

Podocytes undergo phenotypic changes and express macrophagic-associated markers in idiopathic collapsing glomerulopathy

Podocytes undergo phenotypic changes and express macrophagic-associated markers in idiopathic collapsing glomerulopathy

Collapsing glomerulopathy (CG), a severe form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG), is characterized by tuft retraction and consolidation in numerous glomeruli and changes in podocyte morphology and topography. Other glomeruli are less affected. Collapsing glomerulopathy is also characterized by tubulointerstitial atrophy and fibrosis. The pathophysiology of the glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions is poorly understood. We studied renal tissue of five Black and three White patients, all human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) negative, with nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, and histological evidence of CG. Immunohistochemistry identified normal podocyte phenotypes by podocalyxin, vimentin and complement receptor 1 (CR1) labeling. Three monoclonal antibodies were used to further characterize podocyte epitopes: anti-CD68 clone KP1, anti-CD68 clone PG-M1 and anti-M130 clone M18 (Ber-MAC3). Light microscopy of collapsed glomeruli showed podocyte swelling, vacuolization, multinucleation, "cobblestone-like" alignment around the glomerular tuft, and pseudo-crescent formation in Bowman's space. In collapsed glomeruli, podocalyxin, vimentin and CR1 labeling tagged both normal and vacuolated podocytes still attached to the GBM, but labeling was not found in cobblestone-like podocytes or in podocytes detached from the GBM. Conversely, numerous podocytes undergoing detachment and shedding into Bowman's space expressed macrophagic-associated epitopes. Cells with macrophagic-associated epitopes clumped in cystically dilated tubules and were aligned in tubules of smaller caliber. Their appearance was that of viable cells. There was no morphologic indication that these cells expressing macrophage-associated antigens originated from outside the glomeruli or outside the tubules. We conclude that in CG podocytes detach from the GBM, lose their normal podocytic phenotype and acquire macrophage differentiation antigens. The presence of cells with such antigens in tubular lumens suggests that detached metaplastic podocytes progress along the tubule or, alternatively, that CG tubular cells also undergo metaplastic changes into macrophage-like cells.

Macrophage differentiation antigens in acute and chronic autoimmune polyneuropathies.

The pathological differential diagnosis between potentially treatable autoimmune neuropathies and degenerative neuropathies is often difficult if major T-cell infiltrates are absent in sural nerve biopsies. Since it is suggested that macrophages play a central pathogenetic role in inflammatory neuropathies, we investigated the expression of macrophage differentiation antigens associated with acute (MRP14 and 27E10 antigens) and more chronic inflammation (MRP8 and 25F9 antigens) in 76 sural nerve biopsies from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, other inflammatory neuropathies, hereditary neuropathies and normal sural nerves. Macrophage differentiation antigens were immunocytochemically detected in a majority of inflammatory biopsies but rarely in non-inflammatory disease controls and normal-looking nerves. Quantification of labelled endoneurial cells revealed significantly elevated cell counts compared with controls. In individual biopsies, elevated levels of one differentiation antigen were not necessarily associated with high expression of the other antigens, pointing to functional heterogeneity of endoneurial macrophages. Endoneurial cell counts for at least one of the differentiation markers that were greater than in any of the non-inflammatory control nerves were found in two-thirds of all inflammatory biopsies, whereas T-cell counts and in particular total macrophage counts were less sensitive in picking up biopsies from patients with inflammatory neuropathies. Antibodies to macrophage differentiation antigens are additional simple and helpful diagnostic tools in differentiating autoimmune from non-inflammatory neuropathies in sural nerve biopsies.

ONCOSTATIN M STIMULATES MACROPHAGE-POLYKARYON FORMATION IN LONG-TERM HUMAN BONE-MARROW CULTURES

Though oncostatin M (OSM) is a potent mediator of the inflammatory reaction, its role in inflammation and bone resorption is still unclear. A long-term bone-marrow culture system is usually developed to allow the formation of multinucleated cells (MNC) and was used here to define the effects of human recombinant OSM on human MNC formation. OSM significantly upregulated (1.9- to 5.6-fold) the number of MNC in these cultures in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell nucleation and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity were also increased. MNC did not display osteoclast characteristics, such as response to calcitonin and failure to resorb dentin surface. However, they expressed a non-specific α-naphthyl acetate esterase as well as macrophage differentiation antigens (CD11b, CD13 and CD33) and were able to perform phagocytosis. Similar effects were observed after addition of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Moreover, in these culture conditions, human bone-marrow mononuclear cells were capable of low-grade resportion in the presence of bone-marrow stromal cells. This low grade resorption was significantly inhibited by addition of 25 ng/ml OSM. Our data demonstrate for the first time that human recombinant OSM significantly stimulates the formation of MNC and could be involved in the inflammatory process via macrophage-polykaryon formation from human bone marrow.

Macrophage differentiation and expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor in murine milky spots and omentum after macrophage elimination.

To elucidate the differentiation mechanisms of macrophages in the murine omentum, we studied the repopulation of these cells and the expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in the milky spots and omental tissues in mice depleted of macrophages following administration of liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate (clodronate). The macrophages in the omentum were spindle or dendritic in shape, expressed several macrophage-specific antigens and Ia antigen, and phagocytized intraperitoneally injected carbon particles. In the milky spots, macrophages and macrophage precursors were detected, and the number of precursors increased after elimination of macrophages by intraperitoneal injection of liposome-encapsulated clodronate. Macrophage precursors in the milky spots proliferated, moved to the omentum, and transformed into dendritic-shaped macrophages. Expression of M-CSF mRNA extracted from the milky spots was markedly enhanced at 2 and 3 days after macrophage depletion. Localization of M-CSF protein and mRNA was observed in the stromal cells of the milky spots. In osteopetrosis (op/op) mutant mice that are defective in the production of functional M-CSF omental macrophages were absent. These results indicate that M-CSF locally produced in the milky spots plays an important role in providing a microenvironment for development and differentiation of omental macrophages.

Macrophage surface glycoproteins binding to galectin-3 (Mac-2-antigen).

Galectin-3 (formerly called Mac-2 antigen) is a approximately 30 kDa carbohydrate-binding protein expressed on the surface of inflammatory macrophages and several macrophage cell lines. We have purified from lysates of the murine macrophage cell line WEHI-3 glycoproteins that bind to a galectin-3 affinity column. Several of these receptors are labelled after biotinylation of intact cells showing their location at the cell surface. N-terminal aminoacid sequencing of intact galectin-3-binding glycoproteins isolated from preparative SDS-gels or of chemically derived fragments showed several homologies with known proteins and identification was confirmed by immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies. The glycoproteins were shown to be: the alpha-subunit(CD11b) of the CD11b/CD18 integrin(Mac-1 antigen); the lysosomal membrane glycoproteins LAMPs 1 and 2 which are known in part to be expressed at cell surfaces; the Mac-3 antigen, a mouse macrophage differentiation antigen defined by the M3/84 monoclonal antibody and related immunochemically to LAMP-2; the heavy chain of CD98, a 125 kDa heterodimeric glycoprotein identified by the 4F2/RL388 monoclonal antibodies respectively on human and mouse monocytes/macrophages and on activated T cells. Further studies showed that CD11b/CD18, CD98 and Mac-3 are major surface receptors for galectin-3 on murine peritoneal macrophages elicited by thioglycollate.

Mollaret's meningitis: Case report with immunocytochemical and polymerase chain reaction amplification studies

Mollaret's meningitis is a rare disease with a characteristic clinical course and distinctive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology. Although Mollaret originally described the large mononuclear cells seen in the CSF as endothelial, subsequent ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies support a monocyte/macrophage lineage for these cells. To date, the pathogenesis of this entity remains uncertain, although an association with herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been reported in rare cases. In the current case study, immunocytochemistry for factor VIII-related antigen, leukocyte common antigen, and macrophage-specific antigen were performed and provide additional evidence of a monocyte/macrophage lineage for Mollaret cells. Polymerase chain reaction amplification for HSV DNA was done to further explore one possible etiology for this disease, but was negative. Diagn Cytopathol 1996;15:345–348. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

CHAPTER 2 - Macrophage Membrane Molecules: Markers of Tissue Differentiation and Heterogeneity

Monoclonal antibodies directed against murine macrophage differentiation antigens provide tools to characterize novel glycoproteins, their expression by different macrophage subpopulations in situ and regulation by cytokines and other agents in vitro. Studies are in progress to determine ligands for these molecules, and to establish possible functions. We summarize current knowledge of the following molecules: F4/80, a glycoprotein with homology to the G-protein linked transmembrane 7 hormone receptor family; macrosialin, a member of the lysosomal-associated membrane protein [lamp] family with a macrophage-specific mucin-like extracellular domain also present in its human homologue, CD68; sialoadhesin, a sialic acid binding lectin with multiple Ig superfamily domains; mannosyl receptor, a lectin-like molecule with multiple Ctype lectin domains; type 3 complement receptor, a β2 integrin involved in cell migration and adhesion; scavenger receptor, a transmembrane homotrimer with a collagenous domain.

The main infiltrating cell in xenograft rejection is a CD4+ macrophage and not a T lymphocyte.

Porcine fetal islet-like cell clusters (ICC) or isolated rat islets were implanted under the kidney capsule of normoglycemic rats. The animals were sacrificed 1, 3, 6, 12, or 24 days after transplantation, and a detailed morphological and phenotypic characterization of the different cellular subtypes infiltrating the xenograft was performed and compared with the rejection of allogeneic islets. In xenograft rejection a progressive infiltration of large, polygonal, macrophage-like cells, which with time became the dominating cellular subtype, occurred. These cells expressed the CD4 antigen and the macrophage-specific ED1 antigen. From day 6 and onward, a majority of the macrophage-like cells also expressed the CD8 antigen and the macrophage-specific differentiation antigen ED2. T lymphocytes, defined by their TCR alpha/beta or CD2 expression, were found in low numbers and mainly in the periphery of the graft. At the later stages of xenorejection a substantial number of eosinophilic granulocytes were also found. The allograft rejection, on the contrary, was characterized by a progressive infiltration of T lymphocytes, which with time became the dominating cellular subtype. No clear immunoglobulin or complement deposition was seen in the transplants before day 12, when IgG deposition was found in central necrotic areas of the xenograft. Previous experiments in rodents have underlined the crucial importance of CD4 positive cells in the xenograft rejection process. However, in none of these studies it was conclusively demonstrated that the CD4-expressing cells were T lymphocytes. The presence of CD4-expressing macrophages heavily infiltrating the porcine xenograft seen in our study may thus be in agreement with previous studies in which the anti-CD4 reactive cells were erroneously designated T lymphocytes. Interestingly, the findings in xenograft rejection in the present study have striking similarities with the defense mechanisms active against infections by large parasites such as helminths.

Amoeboid microglia expressing GD3 ganglioside are concentrated in regions of oligodendrogenesis during development of the rat corpus callosum

In recent study we demonstrated expression of the platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptor (PDGFR alpha) in cells of the early oligodendrocyte lineage that were identified as either GD3 ganglioside + oligodendrocyte progenitors or O4 sulfatide+ preoligodendrocytes. We also identified a subpopulation of GD3 immunoreactive cells that did not express mRNA for the PDGF receptor. The distinct large amoeboid morphology of these cells was characteristic of cells in the macrophage lineage rather than in the oligodendrocyte lineage. To determine if the GD3-positive but PDGFR alpha mRNA-negative cells were in the macrophage lineage, we compared the spatial and temporal expression patterns of GD3 ganglioside and ED1, a macrophage-specific antigen. Analysis prenatally indicated that at embryonic day 15, ED1+ and GD3+ cell populations resided in the subpial connective tissue. At embryonic day 21, these two populations were seen in a region extending from the lateral ventricle through the subventricular and intermediate zones. In this study we report that these large, round, GD3 immunoreactive cells have the same cell morphology and anatomical distribution as the ED1 immunoreactive cells. Both cell populations contained pyknotic nuclei within their cytoplasm. Furthermore, the GD3+/PDGFR alpha- cells appear to be involved in clearing cellular debris in regions of gliogenesis. These data suggest that this subpopulation of GD3 immunoreactive cells belongs to the microglia/macrophage lineage.

Macrophage distribution in decidual tissue from early implantation to the periparturient period in mice as defined by the macrophage differentiation antigens F4/80, macrosialin and the type 3 complement receptor.

Antibodies to differentiation markers have made it possible to identify macrophages in murine tissues. Macrophages are potent mediators of immunological reactions and it has been proposed that they are pivotal cells at the maternal-fetal interface. Studies of macrophage distribution in murine decidual tissue have provided conflicting evidence for and against the presence of significant numbers of macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface. The study described here used three independent macrophage differentiation antigens to examine the macrophage distribution in decidual tissue from day 6 to day 19 of pregnancy. Macrophage distribution was defined initially using a polyclonal antiserum to the plasma membrane differentiation antigen F4/80. Macrophages were virtually absent from antimesometrial decidual tissue until degenerating tissue was invaded by macrophages from about day 15. The resident population of macrophages in the mesometrial stroma was retained when this area decidualized but these cells did not survive beyond day 13. Mesometrial decidual tissue was virtually devoid of macrophages after this time. The metrial gland contained many macrophages until degeneration set in, but few were seen by day 15 of pregnancy. These distributions were confirmed using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to F4/80, macrosialin, a monocyte- and macrophage-specific membrane sialoprotein (mAb FA/11), and the leucocyte beta 2-integrin CR3 (CD11b/CD18; Mac-1), which is expressed on neutrophils as well as monocytes and some tissue macrophages. CR3+, F4/80- and FA/11- neutrophils were found to be more widely distributed in decidual tissue than were F4/80+ or FA/11+ macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

造血組織定住性マクロファージの形態と機能

Resident macrophages in hematopoietic tissues, which are derived from precursor cells in the bone marrow, are components of the stroma. These macrophages are clearly differentiated from reticular cells or endothelial cells by the macrophage-specific antigen. Erythroblasts adhere to these macrophages via VLA-4-VCAM-1 and proliferate and differentiate in the presence of erythropoietin. Each macrophage that adhered to erythroblasts extends cytoplasmic processes so as to enfold erythroblasts, resulting in the formation of an “erythroblastic island”. This type of interaction between hematopoietic cells and macrophages via adhesion molecules may be important in the regulation of hematopoiesis.

Histamine synthesis by cells of the macrophage lineage in bone marrow of mice.

An injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the activity of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) in bone marrow (BM) cells of C3H/HeN mice much more than in C3H/HeJ mice, which are resistant to various effects of LPS. In WBB6/F1 (W/Wv) mice, which are genetically deficient in mast cells, HDC activity increased more than in C3H/HeN mice. Cultured BM cells of W/Wv mice spontaneously synthesized histamine in a HDC-dependent way. LPS caused a slight increase in HDC-associated histamine synthesis by these cells. Treatment of the BM cells with murine recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (mrGM-CSF) increased the histamine synthesis. In addition, treatment with mrGM-CSF made the cells respond to LPS by a dose-dependent increase in HDC activity and histamine synthesis. Most dish-adherent BM cells that had been treated with both mrGM-CSF and LPS for 48 h were stained for nonspecific esterase and not for chloroacetate esterase, and had twice as much HDC activity as the nonadherent cells had. Immunocytochemical analysis of the BM cells of W/Wv mice treated with both mrGM-CSF and LPS showed that HDC was in the cytoplasm of cells having Mac-1, a macrophage-differentiation antigen. These results suggest that cells of the macrophage lineage in the BM of mice synthesize histamine.

Dissection of macrophage differentiation pathways in cutaneous macrophage disorders and in vitro

Macrophages play important roles in immunity and inflammation, and in allergic, granulomatous and neoplastic diseases. Here, we present the indepth results of an ongoing study of macrophage differentiation pathways in cutaneous macrophage disorders and in vitro. Up to now, a total of 40 cases of cutaneous macrophage disorders (histiocytoses and granulomas) and related diseases were examined using a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to macrophage differentiation antigens (mAb MS-1, mAb alpha CD1a, mAb alpha CD34, mAb RM 3/1, mAb alpha CD11c, mAb alpha CD36, mAb MAC 387, mAb 27E10, polyclonal antibodies alpha MRP-8 and -14, mAb alpha CD68, mAb 25F9, mAb DRC1-R4/23, and mAb 1F10). Of these, MS-1 high molecular weight protein, synthesized by non-continuous sinusoidal endothelial cells and highly dendritic perivascular macrophages in normal human organs, is the most specific macrophage differentiation marker. MS-1 high molecular weight protein is selectively expressed by cutaneous non-Langerhans cell histocytoses, and proves to be a valuable diagnostic tool for these diseases. MS-1 high molecular weight protein is not found in Langerhans cell histiocytosis cells, epithelioid cells in sarcoidosis, and palisading histiocytes in granuloma annulare. MS-1+ macrophages may be found intermingled in cellular type dermatofibroma and in foreign body granulomas; they differ from MS-1+ non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis cells by their highly dendritic morphology, and thus rather resemble the MS-1+ macrophages in normal skin. RM 3/1 antigen shows a similar, but broader expression pattern including non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses, xanthelasmata palpebrarum, foreign body granulomas, granuloma annulare, and cellular type dermatofibroma. Moreover, xanthelasmata palpebrarum paradigmatically represent a class of macrophage lesions with strong RM 3/1, but little MS-1 antigen expression. In sarcoidosis, RM 3/1+ macrophages are only found at the very periphery of epithelioid cell granulomas. In contrast, 25F9 antigen is strongly and consistently expressed in epithelioid cells of sarcoidosis, and in foreign body granulomas. In cultured human monocytes/macrophages, RM 3/1 antigen is expressed early on, while MS-1 high molecular weight protein and 25F9 antigen are late and very late macrophage differentiation antigens, respectively. Expression of RM 3/1 antigen and MS-1 high molecular weight protein is inducible by glucocorticoid and interleukin-4, and less so by interleukin-13 and interleukin-10, and combinations thereof, while 25F9 antigen seems to be less influenced by these agents. Interferon-gamma (and less so tumor necrosis factor-alpha) inhibit expression of all three antigens in cultured human monocytes/macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Induction of beta interferon by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and its gp120 protein in human monocytes-macrophages: role of beta interferon in restriction of virus replication

In vitro cultivated human monocytes show a time-dependent differentiation into macrophages, characterized by an increased expression of macrophage-specific antigens. Monocytes-macrophages were infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 strain Ba-L (HIV-1Ba-L) at different stages of differentiation. When 7-day cultured macrophages were infected in the presence of antibodies to beta interferon (IFN-beta), a significant increase in HIV-1 p24 release was detected. This effect was not observed in 1-day monocytes. This finding suggests that IFN-beta secreted by the infected macrophages inhibits p24 release. Treatment of cultured macrophages with recombinant gp120 (rgp120) protein resulted in the induction of IFN-beta mRNA and in an antiviral state to vesicular stomatitis virus. This rgp120-induced antiviral state was largely neutralized by antibodies to IFN-beta, whereas anti-IFN-alpha antibodies were ineffective. In cultured macrophages, 0.1 IU of IFN-beta per ml was sufficient to induce a marked inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus yield, whereas this dose was ineffective in 1-day monocytes. These results indicate that (i) HIV-1 (possibly in part through its gp120 protein) induces low levels of IFN-beta in macrophages and (ii) this IFN-beta is very effective in inducing an antiviral state in differentiated macrophages.

Differential regulation of the macrophage-specific surface antigen RM3/1 by cyclosporine, azathioprine, and dexamethasone.

CsA, AZA, and dexamethasone (DEX) were examined for their ability to modulate expression of surface antigens on human monocytes. Peripheral blood monocytes were cultured for 1 day, treated with various concentrations of immunosuppressants, and subsequently analyzed for expression of macrophage differentiation antigen RM3/1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54), beta 2-integrin (CD18), and HLA-DR using flow cytometry and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. The RM3/1 antigen was found to be significantly down-regulated by CsA and AZA in a dose-dependent manner, whereas DEX led to a marked up-regulation of the RM3/1 molecule. In contrast, expression of CD54, CD18, and HLA-DR by macrophages was not affected by treatment with these immunosuppressants. Effects of AZA, CsA, and DEX on RM3/1 surface expression were shown to be mediated via modulation of RM3/1 de novo synthesis. Immunohistochemical analysis of rejected renal allografts revealed that the RM3/1 antigen is expressed by the majority of infiltrating macrophages. Our data demonstrate that CsA, AZA, and DEX differentially affect gene expression, resulting in distinct macrophage phenotypes. Characterization of the RM3/1+ macrophage population in vitro and during the course of allograft rejection in vivo may thus provide further insights regarding the mode of immunosuppressant action on nonspecific effector mechanisms.